Expert: Brian Mazejka - 4/16/2008

Question
QUESTION: I am interested in creating a leaf spring assembly in SW07 but notice the mating of each leaf dosent align as wanted.
When I do FEA analysis in ansys 11.0 it finds collisions
and I dont trust the output using current assembly.

my question is thus the following:
Is it possible for SW Office 07 to cut a solid employing extruded cut feature using a line instead of using an enclosed sketch to create parts to construct an assembly.

Thank You for any help that you can offer

Jim

ANSWER: Hi Jim ...

The short answer is Yes, you can use the Extruded Cut feature with just a single line.

This is some advice that I tell to all new people using SWx ...

Don't be afraid to try things that you've never done before (but be sure to save the file before experimenting).  One of Two things is going to happen; Either it'll work or it won't.

I hope this helps, if I can answer any additional questions please feel free to post another one.


Cheers,

Brian

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Dear Brian,

When I use the cut extrude feature and select the line the result becomes a shortened solid that has been cut as if a plane was selected, consequently a single line cut was not produced.

Can you tell me how it is possible to cut any solid into 2 parts using the cut extrude feature.

Thank You

Jim

Answer
Jim ... I apologize for not getting back to you sooner, but for some reason your follow-up is just appearing in my in-box now (June 23, 2008).

Without seeing what you're trying to do, I'm having a hard time trying to visualize what you're trying to do.

Are you trying to divide a part in two halves by using a single line ?  I'm not sure you can do that since using a line with the cut-extrude command needs some kind of thickness.

If there is a way you can show me what you're trying to accomplish, I'd be able to help you better.


Brian